Folding box.



- PATENTED APR. 18, 1905. W. KRONENWETTER.

FOLDING BOX.

APPLIGATIQN FILED FEB. 12.1903.

UNITED STATES Patented April 1e, 19t 5. V

PATENT OFFICE.

FOLDING BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 787,681, dated April 18, 1905.

Application filed February 12, 1903. Serial 110.143,123.

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, WILLIAM K RoNENwET- TER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Marys, in the county of Elk and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Folding Box, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to that class of boxes which may be collapsed when not in use.

It is the object to provide a structure which may be compactly folded and has no detachable parts that are liable to be lost. Furthermore, while the construction is simple it is such that the walls are thoroughly reinforced and strengthened. The box is thus particularly useful for shipping purposes and will withstand rough usage. At the same time, as it is compactly foldable, it may be returned to the shipper in collapsed condition and at small cost.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the box, showing the same when set up. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the box in collapsed position.

Similar reference-numerals indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the draw- Ings.

In the embodiment illustrated four substantially rectangular side walls 10 are employed, and the edges of said walls are preferably beveled outwardly, as shown at 11 this beveling being so arranged that when the walls are at right angles to each other the beveled portions will form flat faces at the corners of the box.

Arranged across the outer face of each wall are spaced reinforcing-strips 12, preferably formed of sheet metal and secured to the box by fastening devices 13. The end portions of these strips are bent to rest flat against the beveled edges 11, and the adjacent terminals are hinged together, as shown at 111, said connected terminals thus constituting the hinged connections between the walls. As a result it will be seen that the box is surrounded by the reinforcing strips, and thus is greatly strengthened. i l

The ends of the box are closed by rectangular lids orrcovers 15, which fit snugly within the walls and flush with the end edges thereof. Each cover is provided with spaced reinforcing-strips 1,6, each being hinged at one end to other reinforcing-strips, 17, that are arranged longitudinally of one of the side walls and are securedthereto. To the other ends of the reinforcing-strips 16 are attached sections 18 of still other strips, arranged to lie longitudinally upon the wall opposite to that carrying the strips 17, these sections 18 being detachably secured together' by turn-buttons 19, though other means may be employed, if desired.

A box as thus constructed when set up is securely held against collapsing by the covers 15, and said covers are held in place by the reinforcing-strips. The box is thus bound both longitudinally and transversely by continuous hooping and is not liable to be damaged when subjected to rough treatment. To fold the box, it is only necessary to unfasten the sections 18 and swing the covers outwardly, whereupon the side walls may be collapsed, as shown in Fig. 4. In this position the box occupies but very little space, and therefore can be advantageously returned to the shipper after the contents have been removed.k

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that lvarious changes in the size, shape, proportion,

for securing the free ends of the reinforcingstrips of the end walls together over one of the side walls.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as I5 my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two w1tnesses.

WILLIAM KRONENWETTER.

Witnesses:

B. F. DoRR, C. L. MoCLosKY. 

